Nearly 700,000 customers in California were left without power in the early hours of this morning, according to poweroutage.us, a website that tracks national power connectivity. The worst affected counties, including Mendocino, Yuba, Butte, and Placer, saw a significant portion of their 146,000 customers lose power. While the overall number of disconnections is declining, the state is grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall and storms.
In Los Angeles, 16 people were rescued from Studio City after heavy rainfall led to debris flow, causing significant damage to two homes. All nine homes on Lockridge Road were evacuated, and the affected residents have been offered emergency shelter.
The impact of the storms was felt across the state as rough seas in Santa Barbara and severe rain and snow in San Bernardino County prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency. San Bernardino County’s declaration seeks federal and state aid to address the predicted flooding and disruption to travel and commuting.
With conditions expected to worsen, Cal State Los Angeles has instructed students, faculty, and staff to stay home and learn/work online for their safety. A similar call was made by California State University, San Bernardino, which announced the closure of its campuses due to the extreme conditions.
As of now, approximately 1 million residents in California are without power, and most of Los Angeles County is under a flash flood warning. This dire warning advises residents to seek immediate shelter on higher ground to avoid the imminent flooding.
Additionally, the National Weather Service has cautioned residents about the possibility of large waves along the coast, resulting from the Pacific storm. Areas in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Orange, and San Diego counties are expected to experience waves as high as 20 feet, prompting concerns about coastal flooding.
The present situation mirrors similar historical events, such as the 2017 California floods, which resulted in widespread damage and disruption across the state. With the looming threat of flash flooding and power outages, residents are advised to exercise caution and prioritize their safety.
To keep citizens informed and protected, local emergency services are monitoring the situation closely, and residents are encouraged to adhere to safety advisories and prepare for potential disruptions.
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